Whatcom schools prepare to return to classes after winter break snowstorm, COVID increases
Bellingham Public Schools “have been monitoring both the weather and the rapidly evolving COVID situation,” according to a Friday, Dec. 31, message from Superintendent Greg Baker that said the district plans to open schools Monday, Jan. 3.
“The forecast is calling for temperatures in the 40s, but it may not be warm enough to fully melt all the snow. We are hopeful that roads will be ready for our buses Monday morning or at least snow routes,” his note on the district website said.
Whatcom County got about a foot-and-a-half of snow during a late December storm while schools were on winter break. And, Washington State saw the largest single-day report of new COVID-19 cases so far on Dec. 24, according to the Department of Health.
“Despite a recent increase in testing around the holidays, public health officials say the increase in new cases significantly outpaces the increase in testing. The number of cases is expected to continue to increase through the new year,” the state’s news release stated Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Regarding the increase in COVID cases, Baker said Bellingham district is prepared to have some classes shift to remote learning temporarily due to the number of cases in a classroom or staffing shortages.
He said website updates and emails to parents will note any changes.
In Lynden, Bernice Vossbeck Elementary School will be closed through Friday, Jan. 7, after extensive water damage from burst pipes during the recent freeze, according to the district website. Teachers will meet Monday to discuss student work for the rest of the week.
Lynden Academy also had water damage and will offer remote learning Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 4.
Four Lynden High School classrooms were damaged in the freeze but classes will resume Monday.
Blaine Superintendent Christopher Granger wrote Thursday, Dec. 30, that the district is also monitoring weather and COVID impacts, but intends schools to be open Monday.
In the Meridian School District, Irene Reither Elementary sustained water damage in the library and main office, but it and other schools will be open Monday.
“Our maintenance and custodial teams have done a phenomenal job addressing all of the cold weather events, cleaning up debris, and making the appropriate repairs. They have worked closely with contractors, engineers, and building principals to allow us to start school next Monday, barring any new issues from thawing pipes between now and Monday. We will continue to evaluate things as they evolve,” wrote Superintendent James Everett on the district’s website Thursday.
Ferndale, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley school districts had not posted any updates by Friday.
Western Washington University announced on Dec. 22 that it will start winter quarter classes remotely for the first week of classes (Jan. 4-7). In-person classes are scheduled to resume Monday, Jan. 10, according to earlier reporting in The Bellingham Herald.
“This will allow time for post-travel COVID testing and monitoring of symptoms, as well as additional time for employees and students to get booster shots,” a letter from Sabah Randhawa said in a letter to the WWU community that urged all students, teachers and staff to receive a booster shot.
Whatcom Community College’s website has a statement that winter quarter classes are delayed for a Monday, Jan. 10 start. However, nursing and continuing education programs will start Wednesday, Jan. 5.
Bellingham Technical College’s website states that it is operating on a normal schedule with classes beginning Tuesday, Jan. 4.
This story was originally published January 1, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
